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Secunderabad, Telangana — Authorities have exposed a major scandal involving an unregistered fertility clinic in Secunderabad, resulting in the arrest of seven people including doctors, agents, and clinic staff. The raid was carried out following complaints by a couple who discovered that the baby they had received through IVF and surrogacy at the clinic was not biologically related to them, as proven by a DNA test.
Police identified the clinic as Universal Srushti Fertility Centre, operative under founder Dr. Athaluri Namratha. Investigations revealed the clinic’s registration had been cancelled in 2021, yet it continued to offer fertility treatments. Dr. Namratha and her team allegedly operated illegal surrogacy and baby-selling rackets by buying infants from poor families and passing them off as children born through surrogacy to unwitting clients. The couple from Rajasthan who brought the case to light reportedly paid more than ₹35 lakh for the procedures.
Raids on the clinic and its associated branches in Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, and Kondapur uncovered pregnancy-related equipment, IVF tools, and even devices for sex determination—the use of which is strictly regulated under Indian law. Authorities seized forged birth certificates, unregistered ultrasound machines, and an unlicensed pharmacy. Several clients who questioned the process or sought clarifications said they were threatened or blocked by clinic staff.
The Hyderabad District Medical and Health Office confirmed the facility was not registered under the National and State Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and Surrogacy Registry. They noted that the prime accused had faced previous suspensions and legal actions but continued operating by misusing documentation of certified doctors. Multiple cases have been filed against the accused under the ART (Regulation) Act, 2021, the Clinical Establishments Act, and human trafficking statutes.
Authorities are investigating financial records, patient documentation, and communication logs to identify further victims. The Telangana Medical Council announced new inspections of fertility centres across the state to curb illegal and unethical practices.
Disclaimer: Details in this news article are based on ongoing investigations and official statements available as of July 30, 2025. Legal processes are yet to conclude, and all accused individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
